The Janice Mason Art Museum was awarded the Governor’s Community Arts Award at the 2009 Governor’s Awards in the Arts ceremony, held last Tuesday morning in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort, and officials from the museum were there to accept the award.

Janice Mason Art Museum Director Paula Lisowsky said it was exciting and humbling all at the same time because of what it means for the museum.

Now that the museum has won this award, it isn’t eligible for the award again, said local businessman and museum board member Paul Fourshee.

“The Kentucky Arts Council is responsible for doing all the legwork,” Fourshee said. “They receive the nominations, and anyone in the state can make nominations. They form a committee to make recommendations, and then the governor makes the decision.”

Cindy Sholar, who at the time was the director of Renaissance on Main, nominated the museum for the award, Fourshee said, adding that people like Trigg County School Superintendent Tim McGinnis and Donna McNichols of the Housing Authority also sent in letters of recommendation.

The KAC sent in a film crew to talk to McNichols, McGinnis and several others about the museum, said Fourshee.

“It is the highest award a community arts organization can receive,” added Fourshee. “We knew we were being nominated a little over a year ago.”

Lisowsky said the current exhibit at Janice Mason Art Museum features two area artists.

At the last Cadiz City Council meeting, Cadiz Mayor Lyn Bailey mentioned the award, and stated he would have gone if he thought he wouldn’t be missing the city council meeting.

The Community Arts Award was one of nine awards handed out to people, organizations and businesses from around the state. The award, which is now on display at the museum, was crafted by Frankfort artist Jennifer Zingg.

Other award winners include George Clooney, who won the National Award, the Kentucky Folk Art Center of Morehead, which won the Folk Heritage Award, Chilton Price, who won the Artist Award, and the Liquor Barn of Lexington and Louisville, which won the Business Award.